Plein Air Painting – Downtown Asheville

Skip Rohde

Little Log Shed oil painting by Asheville Artist Skip Rohde

Our next featured artist is Skip Rohde. He spends most of his time painting figures but also enjoys plein air. He will be demonstrating for us at the Asheville Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, August 2nd from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. We will meet near the open field where you will find a gazebo.

Lately he has been playing with including less detail in his work. That “less is more” idea, when applied to painting can create a mystery that captivates the viewer. He has been impressed by how some other notable artists can masterfully select areas for more detail and leave other parts of the painting suggestive. He sited John Sargent whose faces might have exquisite detail, while a hand may be just a few brush strokes.

Skip Rohde is not only a fine artist, he is a very interesting man. He is also a good writer and has a blog that might captivate you for hours. Rather than try to summarize his approach, I suggest that you explore his website. Take some time to view his online gallery. On his blog you can read about his history, philosophy and approach. You can find out more about what inspires and influences him and how his work is integrated with his life and what matters to him.